Bed-Mounted Surgical Tool Organization System

Abstract

An apparatus for securing surgical instruments to make them accessible by a surgeon while performing an operation on a patient is provided. The apparatus includes an articulated positioning arm that has a first arm section and a second arm section. The apparatus also includes an instrument support surface extending from the second arm section of the articulated positioning arm. The apparatus further includes a mounting interface that is capable of mounting the apparatus on a surgical bed. In addition, the apparatus includes a second device support connected to the mounting interface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for securing surgical instruments to make them accessible by a surgeon while performing an operation on a patient, the apparatus comprising:
 a. an articulated positioning arm comprising a first arm section and a second arm section; wherein the first arm section is oriented in a substantially horizontal position and the second arm section can be oriented in multiple positions;   b. an instrument support surface extending from the second arm section of the articulated positioning arm wherein the instrument support surface can be oriented in multiple positions;   c. a mounting interface that is capable of mounting the apparatus on a surgical bed; wherein the mounting interface is connected to the articulated positioning arm; and   d. a second device support connected to the mounting interface; wherein the second device support is configured to support one or more surgical tools.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first arm section of the articulated positioning arm and the second arm section of the articulated positioning arm are connected at a perpendicular angle. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the instrument support surface comprises at least one removeable tool support. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the instrument support surface is configured to support endoscopic surgical tools. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the instrument support surface further comprises a surgical instrument tray, wherein the surgical instrument tray includes features that align and secure surgical instruments. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the instrument support surface is adjustable. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the instrument support surface can be positioned at an angle of from about 5 degrees to about 80 degrees from horizontal. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the instrument support surface can be positioned at an angle of from about 10 degrees to about 45 degrees from horizontal. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the second device support is configured to support one or more endoscopic surgical tools. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the second arm section of the articulated positioning arm comprises at least two ball joints. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the surgical instruments are endoscopic instruments and the second device support is an endoscopic tool holder. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the endoscopic instruments comprise microlaryngoscopic instruments. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising control surfaces that facilitate repositioning of the instrument support surface while maintaining sterility. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the instrument support surface further comprises flexible negative features that are capable of capturing distal portions of surgical instruments. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the instrument support surface further comprises features that extend from the surgical instrument tray which are capable of aligning surgical instruments and arresting any undesired lateral motion. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the instrument support surface further comprises one or more flexible protrusions that are capable of supporting the surgical instruments. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the apparatus is capable of being sterilized via autoclave. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the apparatus is capable of being sterilized using ethylene oxide. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the apparatus is capable of being sterilized via gamma radiation. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the surgical instruments are neurosurgical instruments. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the surgical instruments are ophthalmic instruments. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the surgical instruments are laparoscopic instruments. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the surgical instruments are otolaryngologic instruments. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the articulated positioning arm further comprises bend-and-stay arms, counterbalancing arms or combinations thereof.